News for June 2012

News Archive

Epson Atmix to build new plant

Epson Atmix Corp has begun construction of its new plant for the manufacture of superfine alloy powder.

AM conference programme finalised

The TCT Live 2012 additive manufacturing (AM) and 3D printing (3DP) conference programme has now been finalised.

Molycorp closes purchase of Neo Materials

Molycorp’s acquisition of Canadian-based Neo Material Technologies Inc has officially closed.

UK automotive production rises to highest since 2004

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reports that, in May, car manufacturing in the UK had its highest level of output in eight years.

Ipsen presents new furnace at PowderMet

Ipsen exhibited its TITAN DS furnace for metal injection moulding (MIM) and PM applications for the first time at PowderMet, which took place in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, from 10-13 June.

Haynes International expands capacity

Alloy specialist Haynes International has approved a US$61 million capital expenditure growth plan to expand capacity for the company's tubular and flat products.

China government to improve rare earth sustainability

China has released a white paper which sets out the government’s plans to improve the health and sustainability of the industry.

Alan Lawley receives PM lifetime achievement award

Alan Lawley, professor emeritus, Drexel University, and editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Powder Metallurgy, has received the Kempton H Roll Powder Metallurgy (PM) Lifetime Achievement Award.

Titanium industry shows growing interest in PM

Powder metal technology is becoming increasingly of interest in the titanium industry, says the International Titanium Association (ITA).

Diamond conference programme announced

The programme of The International Conference on Diamond and Carbon Materials has been announced.

MPIF’s Bulger: full report on North American PM

Matthew Bulger, president of the Metal Powder Industries Federation (MPIF), reported that the North American powder metallurgy (PM) industry has built on the growth momentum begun last year, in a speech to delegates at PowderMet earlier this month.

Plansee tungsten crucibles can extend service life

Plansee has developed a range of ultra-smooth tungsten crucibles for sapphire growth.

APMI names new Fellows

APMI International has named Ian Donaldson, director, research & development North America and materials engineering, GKN Sinter Metals LLC, and Al Dornish, consultant with Northern Precision Materials, to the 2012 Class of Fellows.

Hardmetal arc welding process improves extruders

Krauss Maffei has introduced a plasma powder arc welding process (PTA) that coats the top-root edges of counter rotating screws in its counter rotating twin screen extruders with tungsten carbide.

American National Carbide plans U$S25 million expansion

American National Carbide is to expand its raw materials manufacturing arm.

Rio Tinto develops iron ore business

Rio Tinto has committed US$4.2 billion to develop its tier one iron ore business. The investment covers US$3.7 billion to expand its Pilbara iron ore operations in Western Australia and US$501 million for further infrastructure development at the Simandou iron ore project in Guinea.

EOS and Cookson Precious Metals sign strategic partnership

Additive manufacturing (AM) specialist EOS has signed a strategic development partnership with precious metals supplier Cookson Precious Metals (CPM) to jointly introduce and develop precious metal-based applications for the jewellery and watch industry.

SMS Group reports improved orders

The SMS Group says that it attracted orders in the business year 2011 totalling €3.423 billion (2010: €2.931 billion) and reached sales of €3.070 billion (2010: €3.036 billion).

TIMET sales given boost by aerospace

Titanium Metals Corporation (TIMET) reported net sales were US$276.7 million for Q1 of 2012 compared to US$252.0 million for Q1 of 2011.

Mahle develops aftermarket in Eastern Europe

Mahle plans to develop a 10,000 m2 shipping centre for its spare parts business in Russia and Belarus.

SKF demand affected by weak industry

The SKF Group says that demand for its products and services in the second quarter will be slightly lower than in the corresponding quarter last year, due to weaker development in Western Europe and Asia.

Balzers expands South Carolina coating operation

Oerlikon Balzers, which currently operates 15 coating centres in North America, is expanding its Rock Hill, South Carolina operation.

SLM Solutions creates US subsidiary

SLM Solutions has founded a new office in Michigan, USA, following what it says is an increasing demand for technical consulting services and additive manufacturing systems in America.

Technology centre buys AM system

The Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT) has purchased an Optomec Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS) system used for metal additive manufacturing (AM) applications.

Rio Tinto to sell Alcan Cable

Rio Tinto has reached an agreement to sell Alcan Cable to General Cable Corporation for US$185 million.

Mott Corp receives ISO 9001:2008 recertification

Mott Corporation has been successfully recertified to the ISO 9001:2008 standard.

Global PM moulding market to grow at a CAGR of 15.1%

Research and Markets’ "Global Powder Injection Moulding Market 2011-2015" says that the market will grow at a CAGR of 15.1% between 2011 and 2015.

SA government invests in titanium

The South African government has allocated R100 million over a three-year period to help develop a titanium industry in South Africa.

Tooling show had almost 2000 attendees

GlobalSpec, organisers of the Machine Tools & Metal Working online trade show, says that the event, which took place on 6 June, had more than 1,900 participants.

Hugo Ortner honoured for contribution to reactive and refractory metals

Dr Hugo M Ortner PhD has received the 2012 HR "Russ" Ogden Award from ASTM International, which awards outstanding accomplishments in the science and technology of reactive and refractory metals and alloys.

German-made tungsten carbide burrs

All Purpose Abrasives in Australia has introduced a range of carbide burrs originally made in Germany by surface finishing specialist Pferd.

New CFO at Sandvik

Emil Nilsson has been appointed executive vice president and CFO of Sandvik Group and member of group executive management.

Ipsen to ship 10 vacuum furnaces to five countries

Ipsen USA is scheduled to ship 10 vacuum furnaces during June, setting a new furnace shipment record for one month.

Design excellence awards: the winners

Ten Grand Prizes and ten Awards of Distinction have been awarded to engineered PM parts at the 2012 Powder Metallurgy Design Excellence Awards which took place at Powdermet, Nashville, Texas, USA.

GTSO explores tungsten recycling

GTSO Resources says it is exploring ways to make tungsten recycling more profitable and environmentally friendly.

MPIF report shows PM industry ‘recovery sustainable’

The resurgence of the powder metallurgy (PM) industry in North America which began in 2010 has continued through 2011 and well into this year, says Matthew Bulger, president of the Metal Powder Industries Federation (MPIF).

Sandvik opens world’s largest mill dedicated for steam generator tubing

Sandvik has officially opened the world’s largest dedicated mill for the advanced manufacturing of stainless steel and high nickel alloy tubes for use in nuclear power plant steam generators at its facility in Sandviken, Sweden.

Global PM to reach US$30 billion

A new report from Research and Markets analyses the global powder metallurgy industry from 2007 to 2012.

New findings suggest ceramic technology could replace metal

A report referenced on the Cordis website says that EU-funded researchers have developed new technology that could promote the use of nanopowder-based ceramics instead of metals for wear-resistant wood cutting tools and medical and micro-devices.

Strong growth predicted for AM

A new report foresees strong double-digit growth for additive manufacturing (AM) over the next few years.

Pferd restructures board

Pferd, a manufacturer of tools for surface finishing and material cutting has appointed two further managing directors: Stefan Braun as managing director for sales and marketing and Stefan Kroll as managing director for finance and IT.

Linde presents paper on Sinterflex

Linde engineers are presenting a paper showing how the production process for powdered metal parts can be improved by precisely controlling the chemical carbon potential of the sintering atmosphere.

Harper Int to design new PM furnace

Harper International has been selected by Allomet Corporation for the design of a new continuous rotary furnace for the production of specialty composite metal powders.

ATI titanium used in aerospace

Allegheny Technologies Inc (ATI) has announced that its thin titanium Precision Rolled Strip product has been selected by the sensors and integrated systems division of the Goodrich Corporation for use in heated floor panels for commercial aircraft.

Registration open for MPIF short course

The MPIF says that registration is now open for its powder metallurgy (PM) basic short course.

Sintering Forum focuses on laser melting

RM Forum’s Sintering Forum focuses on selective laser melting of metal powders applied to rapid manufacturing, in particular in the aeronautics, medical and racing sectors.

SME focuses on 3D

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) focused on 3D imaging at the RAPID 2012 Conference & Exposition which took place in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, from 23-24 May.

Hardmetal saw cuts steel and non-ferrous metal

CS Unitec has introduced a nine inch pneumatic circular saw suitable for dry cutting of steel and non-ferrous metal.